Antlers at Vail: Where Unpretentious Vail Lives

That’s because a lot of people associate Vail with a sort of pretension that’s been hard for the destination to shake, and maybe some would rather not.

Antlers at Vail, courtesy photo

Let’s face it, if you think a place is a certain way, it’s likely that you’ll find it that way when you visit. It’s human nature; we often manifest the experience we expect.

I challenge you not to do this when you travel and do not do this to Vail. By visiting the town for festivals and conferences, I’ve grown to love the place. I do call it “the home of the $17 hamburger” but with prices on the Front Range increasing daily, this doesn’t seem all that outrageous anymore. Plus, that $17 hamburger will be one of the best you’ve eaten because Vail sets the bar high when it comes to food.

View from my Antlers at Vail condo in late October.

I’ve had the pleasure of staying at Antlers at Vail several times and I love where it’s located. Lionshead is home to several of my favorite eateries, plus, it’s where you’ll find Antlers at Vail.

Just a few steps from the gondola, Antler at Vail is on the border of Gore Creek and the Gore Creek Trail. It’s in a quiet little corner of Vail and that’s just the way Antlers’ guests like it. It’s like coming home to your own little paradise complete with riverside pool and two hot tubs. The property has one of the prettiest pool areas in Colorado, and it’s a big year-round draw to Antlers at Vail.

Antlers at Vail, courtesy photo

Antlers at Vail offers everything from studios to four bedrooms. These condos have room for the entire family including the dog. It’s a good option for multi-generational travel as was made apparent by a Wisconsin grandmother we met in the pool area during our first visit.

Watching her two grandkids play in the pool, she told us that her extended family was there from various parts of the country. They’d all been coming to Antlers at Vail for fourteen years, and she described it as their home away from home.

Our first stay at this property during Taste of Vail and our cozy one-bedroom was proof that the condos at Antlers are great for couples. Beautifully interior designed, our condo overlooked the river and pool area.

Our one-bedroom condo at Antlers at Vail.

One evening, after a day of indulging in everything Taste of Vail has to offer in the form of food and wine, we sprawled on our comfy couch and watched a movie we’d checked out from Antler’s extensive film library. They have an extensive free movie list but on my latest visit I brought along my Firestick.

A month ago, I stayed at Antlers for a tourism conference. This time I was in a one-bedroom with a bunk bedroom perfect for kids or for a fellow conference member who didn’t want to drive home to Leadville one evening in the snow. She spent the night in the bunk room where she said she slept like a baby.

Antlers at Vail, courtesy photo

During this stay, I utilized the full-sized kitchen to make breakfast each day and it was equipped with everything I needed. I even threw a tiny wine soiree with some of the conference attendees in my relaxing living room.

Close to ski access, Antlers is also just a hop and skip from the free bus service in Vail, one of the finest I’ve encountered. In off-seasons, it runs less frequently but guests can utilize Antlers on-call car to get around.

The condos at Antlers at Vail are a home away from home in one of Colorado’s best mountain towns. The property has been around since Lionshead was built up in 1972, so Antlers at Vail is firmly part of the community. There have only been three general managers at Antlers at Vail and many of the owners here have passed down their condos to their children, giving the place an authentic family-friendly feel.

Antlers at Vail, courtesy photo

The property will undergo a renovation of the foyer in 2019 but will remain open for business. I believe HeidiTown citizens will quickly become part of the family when they stay at Antlers at Vail and that’s a good feeling for a traveler.

Thank you to Antlers at Vail for hosting my stays. All opinions are my own and truthful.